Easter Seals Nevada offers help, support for families of disabled children

Lexi Eng has been fighting an uphill battle all five years of her life.

She was born four months early and weighed just over a pound. She also is deaf and has cerebral palsy.

"She's like a 2-year-old in almost a 6-year-old body," her mother, Lisa Eng, said.

Lexi, like thousands of kids in the Las Vegas Valley, will need special help during her lifetime. Nonprofit organizations such as Easter Seals Nevada will be there when she does. ESN helps people of all ages with disabilities.

The community can help, too.

ESN's Walk With Me Las Vegas 2012 fundraiser walk is scheduled for April 7 at W. Wayne Bunker Family Park, 7351 W. Alexander Road, near Tenaya Way. Registration for the 2-mile walk is set for 8 a.m., to be followed by the walk at 9:30 a.m. An egg hunt and carnival are scheduled from 10:15 a.m. to noon. Entry to the egg hunt and carnival is $5 per person on the day of the event.

Team Lexi is being sponsored by Anderson Dairy, 801 Searles Ave., where Lisa Eng works as a credit manager. The family lives in North Las Vegas.

Every member of Lexi's family is raising money and awareness to help fund ESN's services.

Lexi's sister, Karrisa Eng, is a sophomore at Veterans Tribute Career and Technical Academy, 2531 Vegas Drive. She started a fundraiser at her school in the form of "penny wars."

Each teacher had a large jug, which students put pennies into during first period. The class with the most pennies at the end of the week won.

But students in other periods could combat other classes by donating silver coins and dollars, which subtract from a class' total.

Karrisa and the school's 700 students raised $425 to donate to Team Lexi.

"I'll do anything for my sister," Karrisa Eng said.

"I know every kid with disabilities should have physical therapy. A lot of parents can't afford it. It meant a lot to fundraise for kids that need it. I just wanted to help out."

Lisa Eng said she is fortunate to work for Anderson Dairy, which has been supportive of her daughter's needs. Lexi does not rely heavily on the services of ESN, but Lisa Eng feels a connection with the organization.

"Those children are like my child," Eng said. "They need the speech therapy, they need the physical therapy. One day I might need their help.

"It's all about giving."

For more information about Easter Seals Nevada or to donate, visit sn.easterseals.com or walkwithme.org/lasvegas.

Contact View education reporter Jeff Mosier at jmosier@viewnews.com or 224-5524.